The Government Accountability Project's American Whistleblower Tour will stop at Franklin & Marshall College at 11:30 a.m. Thursday as part of the college's Common Hour series held in Mayser Gymnasium.

The event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

A whistle-blower is "an employee who discloses information that s/he reasonably believes is evidence of illegality, gross waste or fraud, mismanagement, abuse of power, general wrongdoing, or a substantial and specific danger to public health and safety," according to the website Whistleblower.org.

"Typically, whistle-blowers speak out to parties that can influence and rectify the situation," such as the media or elected officials.

The tour, "Essential Voices for Accountability," seeks to educate the public — particularly the incoming workforce — about the phenomenon of whistle-blowing, the accomplishments that whistle-blowers have achieved, and why they must be protected.

The tour also seeks to counter negative connotations associated with whistle-blowing, connect prospective whistle-blowers to available resources, and encourage academic studies of whistleblowing.

The F&M presentation will feature Louis Clark, the project's president, who has spent more than 35 years protecting whistle-blowers.

Also featured will be prominent whistle-blowers Rick Piltz, former senior associate of U.S. Climate Change Science Program (on climate change) and Kenneth Kendrick, former assistant plant manager at Peanut Corp. of America (Salmonella-tainted peanut butter), according to a press release.

A panel discussion will focus on the ethical conflicts witnessed on their jobs.